Building a Traditional Tune Repertoire

by Wendy Anthony

Blackberry Blossom

(Key of G)

The Tune:

Blackberry Blossom is known as a breakdown, and is popular in both Bluegrass & Old-Time traditions. Some parkin'-lot-pickers will use this tune as an opportunity to show off their speed, but don't let that intimidate you from learning the basic melody and playing this tune!

Techniques:

Overview of Tune: In Part A, notice a pattern of note runs. The note played on the 1st & 3rd beat of the first 2 measures are the first 4 notes of the descending scale of G. Each of these notes is the beginning of a 3-note run, returning to to this base note, before moving on to the next note in the G scale. The chords in Part A start in the tune's key of G major & Part B in Em, the relative minor of G.

Chords: In Part A, starting in G, the chords change are busy, with 2 different chords within each measure. In Part B, starting & staying in Em, the relative minor of G, change to B7 in the 14th measure, then back to a few Em chords, before finishing off as in Part A.

Part A: ||:G/D/|C/G/|C/G/|A/D/|G/D/|C/G/|C/G/|D/G:||

Part B: ||:Em///|Em///|Em///|B7///|Em///|Em///|C/G/|D/G/:||

Fingering: Use the 4th (pinky) finger for the high D on E strings (7th fret) in Measures 2, 6 & 14.

Variations:

Part A: Change the intro notes or timing; use a Descending (vs Ascending) 3-note scale segment (Measures: 2 & 3); Substitute another phrase; vary the octave for the 2nd repetition of Part A, or for the full Part A for the 2nd time through the tune, though you will have to be creative with the lower notes

Part B: Substitute another phrase; use slides - in the example use your 3rd (ring finger) to slide to 6th fret